Be Sociable, Share! As Viewed Through Netflix In Brazil It has been true over the last forty years that as a new movie-viewing platform arrives, chances for consumers to hone their tastes, and to fine-tune their choices has expanded film viewing and expanded film income. At the same time, consumers have become less at the mercy of television networks and theater owners as to what is available, they have consumed mainstream content through the big delivery systems, and lots of different content as well through these more dispersed systems. Digital delivery mechanisms are making that choosiness and fine-tuning of consumption only more so. In preparing a new section in our State of the Film Markets Report, focusing on the roll-out of these services in spots around the globe, one focus, NetFlix in Brazil, highlighted very plainly how there are many issues in this deployment, and how it will likely not

Be Sociable, Share! Sold the Movie will be making its European premiere at the London Indian Film Festival. Sold is a narrative, feature film adaptation of the globally acclaimed novel by Patricia McCormick. Based on true stories, SOLD, is the story of Lakshmi who journeys from a pastoral, rural village in Nepal to a gritty brothel/prison called Happiness House in Kolkata, India. Through one extraordinary girl’s story, SOLD illustrates the brutality of child trafficking, which affects millions of children around the globe every year. Globally the average age of a trafficked girl is thirteen, the same age as the girl in the film. SOLD is a call to action, and a testament to the power and resilience of the human spirit. For more information about the London Indian Film Festival: London Indian Film Festival For the official movie site: SOLD the Movie Be Sociable, Share!

Be Sociable, Share! The Breach – The film centers on the fragile ecosystem of wild salmon, including a chronicle of Washington’s Elwha River dam removal as well as a comprehensive look at Alaska’s Pebble Mine mineral exploration project, which could arguably destroy one of the world’s last unspoiled salmon runs. This film is a work in progress. Currently showing at Seattle International Film Festival: Wednesday June 4th at 6:30 pm (Uptown Theatre) and Saturday June 7th at 1pm (Pacific Place). For more information: The Breach – Official Site SIFF – The Breach (tickets available here) Be Sociable, Share!

Be Sociable, Share! News from one of our clients: Our feature film “SOLD,” at the CineQuest Film Festival in San Jose on Friday, March 7 at 7 pm, and Sunday March 9 at 6:45 pm. To purchase tickets for CineQuest: Executive produced by Academy Award winner Emma Thompson, produced by Jane Charles and directed by Academy Award winner Jeffrey D. Brown. The story puts the audience in the shoes of an amazing 13 year old girl, Lakshmi, who is trafficked from Nepal to a brothel in Kolkata. Through one girl’s story, we give voice to millions of girls who are trafficked every year. SOLD is an adaptation of the National Book Award nominated novel SOLD by Patricia McCormick, which has been translated into 32 languages. The film stars Gillian Anderson and David Arquette and an incredible Indian cast. Join us to see this powerful film and to shed a light

Be Sociable, Share! This year alone I have helped producers choose and use hundreds and hundreds of titles for comparison to the films they seek to finance and make. When I am preparing projections and financials packages, whether for a single film or a slate of films, the first crucial task for me is to understand the film(s), to be able to see them both as the producer does and how the world might perceive them, so that we can look at comparable titles from several points of view, including the eyes of finance partners, distribution partners, and so on… Every producer might think about this a little differently, but I am hoping it could help some of you if I talked about my own points of view when approaching this task. Whether I am involved in your process or not, I hope this helps in the way you approach

Be Sociable, Share! What The Heck Is The Thru-Line and Why Is Every Film A Marketing Problem Challenge and Opportunity? ***I am updating this article, particularly after a discussion with a client that tweaked my thinking on using the word “problem.” Every time I used it, I found myself explaining it, and he was right. Thanks to Anre Garrett! Many new and even highly experienced filmmakers arrive at our door trying to think about all parts of a business plan at once, worried about the research (worried about what to research), worried about how to describe the process, planning to deliver a detailed schedule of their production activities, trying to make their own stab at projecting the value of their film, and worrying about all kinds of deal questions, their festival strategy, selling DVDs on the Internet, selling downloads to phones in China, you name it, a stew of boiling

Be Sociable, Share! Having just delivered the cash flow and financial projections for a $50m fund with a $6m development company residing on top, there are many issues that these kinds of companies bring to my mind. Forgive me if some of the discussion here today seems arcane or complex, but I want to try to explain some of the questions this brings up in discussions with current clients, as well as things that may be helpful to incoming clients (or to anyone who reads this). Efficiency One of the key items I always want to think about when first approaching the idea of a fund is EFFICIENCY. What do I mean by efficiency? First, I like to see if there are similarities among the films anticipated to be on the slate of projects, or similarities in approach. They could all be animations, or they could all be below $20

Be Sociable, Share! This is a foray into the key elements of a business plan, in which the philosophy, and the nitty gritty of proper business planning will be discussed. Feel free to respond. Comments that can be helpful to others may end up in future issues. My intention is to walk through the parts of a business plan and discuss them as we go. WHAT A BUSINESS PLAN IS NOT. The first thing I want to say is what a business plan is not. At least in my mind, it is not just a document which has the magic power to make the pitch and get you money without you showing up or exposing yourself, or putting sweat and your best thoughts into the process. WHAT A BUSINESS PLAN IS I like to call your business plan your plan for business. So, what it is, is a collection and recording

Be Sociable, Share! Is It Well Over 30% As Some Want To Say? I know I have been away from posting for quite some time. The last year and a half have been extremely busy at FilmProfit. And this spring and summer, I call the Indie Spring! I hope it means well for all of you, and all of your projects. I hope to be posting more here and more often. Thanks for coming by to read this! I have lately been seeing reports from various folks who comment on the indie film sector, who have wanted to peg the indie portion of the box office at or over 30% year over year for nearly the last ten years. In one case, I saw a chart under a headline that touted indie strength, and the chart showed every year the indie portion of box office in North America at over

Be Sociable, Share! The Commoditization of Movies There are two ways to price and sell products at market: One is the MARGIN method. The Margin method is usually based on a scarcity; either of product (even if artificial, like diamonds) or of consumers. The margin method is how Apple has typically pursued its business. Make the product at as high a level as you can, understand that your constituency will be a smaller and more loyal body of fans, and make money on the wide “margin” between costs of production and the price paid by consumers. The other is the VOLUME method. The Volume method, then, is usually based on a high availability, essentially, of both product and desiring consumers. When Blu-Ray players were introduced at $500 to $1,000, they were scarce, and only wealthy early-adopters could or would pay that much. But there was more margin in each sale.